Jonathan Taylor is disputing the latest report about his status with the Indianapolis Colts.
Taylor has requested a trade from the Colts due to unhappiness over his contract situation, as well as unhappiness with recent comments by team owner Jim Irsay.
Amid the contract disagreement, a report late Sunday said the Colts were considering an interesting move.
The Colts reportedly are considering placing Taylor on the non-football injury list due to a back injury they say he suffered while away from the team. Taylor saw that report and responded via the website formerly known as Twitter.
“1.) Never had a back pain.
“2.) Never reported back pain.
“Not sure who ‘sources’ are, but find new ones,” Taylor wrote in response.
1.) Never had a back pain.
2.) Never reported back pain.
Not sure who “sources” are, but find new ones 🤔
— Jonathan Taylor (@JayT23) July 31, 2023
The report from ESPN’s Stephen Holder claimed that the Colts were pondering the idea of placing Taylor on the non-football injury list so that they would not have to pay Taylor’s salary for next season.
The report also stated that Taylor reported back pain on Tuesday, which was part of the reason why the Colts failed him on his pre-training camp physical. Taylor’s tweet now casts doubt on the alleged timeline of events. It also raises more questions than answers.
Source to ESPN: Colts RB Jonathan Taylor reported to training camp complaining of back pain that was deemed to be from a pre-existing issue. The team is now considering placing him on the non-football injury list, which could result in his not being paid for the regular season.
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) July 31, 2023
This all comes on the heels of Taylor’s trade request and Colts owner Jim Irsay’s subsequent refusal to grant the running back a change of scenery.
Taylor is in the final year of his 4-year, $7.8 million rookie contract signed in 2020. He was named First-team All-Pro back in 2021 after leading the NFL in rushing yards (1,811), rushing touchdowns (18), and total carries (332).
Taylor struggled last season after injuring his ankle in Week 4. He missed six games and was hampered by the issue for the rest of the year. Taylor finished the campaign with 861 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns.
